Located west of the downtown commercial area, the district encompasses the most intact of Golden’s early residential neighborhoods.  The campus of the Colorado School of Mines is to the south and west.  The residences within the district are primarily of brick or wood frame construction and date from the 1870s to 1920. 

The ranch is associated with the settlement and agricultural development of Mount Vernon Canyon.  It is architecturally significant as the best surviving example of an original Mount Vernon Canyon ranch complex.

The circa 1880 Tallman Ranch represents part of the exploration and settlement of the area now encompassing western Jefferson and eastern Gilpin Counties. 

The buildings located within this approximately 200-acre agricultural district are especially noteworthy due to the extensive use of native sandstone in their construction.  The 1¾-story ranch house was built by Alexander Rooney and his brother-in-law Thomas Littlefield in the early 1860s.  The coursed walls are of large, smooth-faced sandstone blocks, and an 1867 spring house is of similar construction. 

The nationally significant Rocky Flats Plant functioned as a major center for the development and production of atomic weapons for the US military. 

Rockland Community Church and Cemetery is architecturally significant as a type, period or method of construction.  The church has architectural significance as an outstanding, well-preserved example of the type of building that was constructed by early settlers for the purpose of worship.  Its simplicity of form and structure illustrates the need for prudent use of materials to reduce cost.  There is minimal ornate expression other than simple wood molding.

Goose No. 7 was constructed in 1936 and retains the configuration of a 1950 conversion that enabled it to transport rail-tourists.

Goose No. 6 was constructed in 1934 to serve as a maintenance-of-way vehicle for the Rio Grande Southern Railroad.

The Galloping Geese are important for their association with railroad transportation in southwestern Colorado. 

Placed in service in 1899 on the Florence and Cripple Creek Railroad (F&CC), Engine No. 20 survives as one of only three F&CC steam locomotives in Colorado.  After abandonment of the F&CC in 1912, the Rio Grande Southern Railroad (RGS) purchased the engine for use on its mountain route from Durango to Ridgway, where it remained in service until the end of RGS operations in 1951.